THIBODAUX, La. – Southeastern Louisiana returns to Southland Conference play this coming weekend with a split series against rival Nicholls.
The series opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at Ray E. Didier Field in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The middle game of the series shifts to Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field in Hammond, Louisiana, Saturday at 2 p.m. The series finale returns to Thibodaux for a 1 p.m. first pitch Sunday.
Saturday's game between Southeastern (22-14, 10-8 Southland) and the Colonels (20-19, 7-8 Southland) is Autism Awareness Day. Fans are encouraged to wear blue to the ballpark.
All three games in the conference series can be heard in the Hammond, Louisiana, area on KSLU 90.9 FM, and worldwide online or through the TuneIn Radio app (search for KSLU). Fans can keep up with the game through live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter.
Saturday's game will be available on LionVision, Southeastern's subscription-based video stream. Nicholls will provide streaming video of the series' other games.
Links for audio, video, stats, gameday promotions and tickets can be found on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
Friday at 6 p.m., the Lions will send junior right-hander
Mac Sceroler (6-1, 2.76) to the mound opposite Nicholls senior righty Cole Stapler (4-4, 3.98).
Sophomore right-hander
Corey Gaconi (3-3, 3.08) gets the starting nod at 2 p.m. Saturday versus Colonel senior left-hander Mike Hanchar (2-3, 4.35).
Nicholls has not announced a starting pitcher for Sunday's 1 p.m. series finale against Lion sophomore righty
Carlisle Koestler (1-2, 4.66).
Southeastern, which has dropped back-to-back games, is coming off a 9-2 loss Wednesday at UL Lafayette.
Taylor Schwaner (.366),
Drew Avans (.291),
Carson Crites (.278) and
Derrick Mount (.274) lead Southeastern at the plate. Schwaner is the conference leader with 12 home runs and ranks seventh nationally with 51 RBIs. Mount is third nationally with seven sacrifice flies. Avans has a team-high 16 stolen bases.
The Lions are hitting .238 as a team, with 51 doubles, 14 triples, 33 home runs and 69 stolen bases. Southeastern's pitching staff enters the series with a 3.99 ERA, having fanned 271 batters through 320.1 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .252 off Lion pitching.
Nicholls, which took 2-of-3 this past weekend from Incarnate Word, is coming off a 16-8 loss Tuesday to No. 16-ranked Southern Miss at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Chet Niehaus (.361), Juan Givan (.342) and Alex Tucker (.295) lead the Colonels at the plate. Troy Cahill and Ethan Valdez pace the team with three home runs each. Gavin Wehby has driven in a team-high 23 runs. Niehaus also leads the team with six stolen bases.
The Colonels are hitting .268 as a team, with 64 doubles, six triples, 13 home runs and 34 stolen bases. Nicholls pitching staff enters the series with a 4.96 ERA, having fanned 298 batters in 339 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting .289 off Colonel pitching.
General Admission tickets for Lion home games are $9 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12). Tax is included in the price of admission. Southeastern students are admitted free with a valid university ID card.
Students and campus organizations can earn points toward their Lion Up Loyalty account at any home game by checking in on the mobile app while in attendance.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the athletics ticket office at (985) 549-5466 or 1-866-LION-TIX. Ticket office hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Fridays. The box office at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field opens one hour prior to the scheduled first pitch.
Southeastern hosts Alcorn State at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Lions' final home midweek game of the season.
Southeastern Louisiana Lions (22-14, 10-8 Southland) vs. Nicholls Colonels (20-19, 7-8 Southland)
DATES / TIMES / PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday, April 21 – 6 p.m. (CT) – Thibodaux, Louisiana
SLU – Junior RHP
Mac Sceroler (6-1, 2.76) vs.
NICH – Senior RHP Cole Stapler (4-4, 3.98)
Saturday, April 22 – 2 p.m. (CT) – Hammond, Louisiana
NICH – Senior LHP Mike Hanchar (2-3, 4.35) vs.
SLU – Sophomore RHP
Corey Gaconi (3-3, 3.08)
Sunday, April 23 – 1 p.m. (CT) – Thibodaux, Louisiana
SLU – Sophomore RHP
Carlisle Koestler (1-2, 4.66) vs.
NICH – TBA (0-0, 0.00)
STADIUM
Ray E. Didier Field (Thibodaux, Louisiana)
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field (Hammond, Louisiana)
RADIO
• KSLU, 90.9 FM
• Pregame show starts 15 minutes prior to first pitch
INTERNET / MOBILE DEVICE
• www.LionSports.net – live audio, stats and video
• TuneIn Radio app
